20 Ombré Nail Looks to Copy ASAP

written by

Liliane Kelly & Amanda Edelman

updated Mar 30, 2020

One of the easiest and most versatile nail art designs is the ombré nail. Though it’s not a new trend, it's one that has stuck around and withstood the test of time. With an unlimited combination of colors and tons of different styles, this gorgeous gradient look is always sure to impress. We talked to Sarah Bland, beauty ambassador at Smith & Cult, for her best tips and tricks on how to get this coveted look from the comfort of your couch.

If you’re not a nail art aficionado, fear not. We love this look because it only requires a few tools we already have in our makeup bag. “The easiest way to create an ombré look at home is to use an eye shadow applicator or a disposable makeup sponge that you can tear in half,” says Bland. Done deal. Want to learn some more tricks and garner killer nail inspiration? Keep scrolling.

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Marble Ombré

Do as Betina does with this look and combine the ombré trend with a minimalistic pink marble effect. Then, finish it off with a chic bronze border. Use a small detailing brush to get the bronze outline and don't forget a top-coat to ensure a glossy finish.

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Horizontal Ombré

If you’re looking to set yourself apart from the pack, try a horizontal ombré rather than the standard vertical variation. It’s just as easy to execute—just switch up the direction. What's more, you can skip a different polish shade and opt for glitter for the same effect—as is the case here.

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Dotted Ombré

Having difficulty creating an ombré nail with a sponge? Try it with dots. Use the tip of a pen or toothpick as a dotting tool, making them more sparse as you make your way toward the cuticle. You might even try experimenting with different sizes of dots or a single row of dots in varying shades of the same color.

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Pink Glitter Ombré

Ombré looks great no matter which way it fades. We love this simple but fun pink glitter look and how it subtly peters out to the side instead of a traditional horizontal transition.

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Green Ombré

Create a unique look by playing with different fade patterns. We don't know about you, but we can't stop staring at this pretty mix of ocean-inspired greens to blues.

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Watercolor Ombré

A blend of vivid water-colors decorates this artfully designed manicure. While ombre usually fades off to a lighter color, we love how they mix it up with some of the darker colors swirling toward the bottom.

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Glitter Ombré

Glitter may be the toughest to remove from nails, but it's actually very forgiving when used in an ombré look. Concentrate the glitter at the tips of nails for a trickle-down effect that sparkles. For a similar shade, try Smith & Cult's Nail Polish ($18) in Dirty Baby.

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Purple to Nude Ombré

We love how the shiny pearlescent purple tapers off into a classic, sophisticated nude. Who says you can't have it all? Don't forget to seal it in with a long-lasting topcoat.

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Gold-Dipped Ombré

These easy-to-recreate metallic gold nails are nothing short of stunning. Most notably, unlike many other ombré manicures, they require just one polish shade and a topcoat to create. Starting with clean nails, lightly paint gold polish from your tips toward your cuticles, stopping before reaching them. Let the sheer color dry and finish with topcoat for a simple-yet-rich, sun-kissed design.

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Multi-Neon Ombré

These ombré nails are perfect for the festival season! Use as many bright neon shades as you like, plus there's a cool fade effect to give it some dimension.

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Mercury Retrograde Ombré

Betina is usually known for her minimalistic and eyecatching designs, but we happen to love this mix of different all-over pinky hues. It's a modern update on the popular galaxy-inspired look!

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Modern Ombré

If you can't quite get the hang of the sponging technique, consider opting for the modern take on ombré nails: a different color on each nail. By choosing a series of shades within the same or complementary color families, you'll be able to rock the ombré look without major DIY skills.

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Cloudy Ombré

Want a view from the clouds without air travel? This sky blue ombré mani offers a picture-perfect look. Plus, the hand-drawn sparkle effect is a cheeky, cute touch.

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Cotton Candy

This cotton candy-inspired ombre manicure looks like the prettiest sky dawn sky. The pink and blue mani by Steph Stone emulates cozy lover inspired vibes. To get the look use Essie's Mint Candy Apple and Muchi Muchi, both $9.

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Rosey Ghost Ombré

These copper nails have a gradient fade, lots of glitter, and a cartoon-inspired ghost inspired, Yuki, from a talented artist. For a playful twist on an ombre style, try out an almond shape to play up the design.

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Ombré Lilac Lengths

The wonderful thing about the ombré nail art trend is that it can be worn on all nail lengths. That said, there's no denying that it looks especially gorgeous on extra-long nails. Just look at this lilac manicure. The nude-to-purple fade is subtle yet stunning.

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Mauve Ombré

This smokey mauve manicure takes the ombré trend a step further with ultra-fine blending and copper tones flecks. Of course, with such detail comes serious skill, so if you're hoping to achieve the look, you should make a nail appointment stat and bring this photo as your inspo.

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Accent Glitter Ombré

Glitter may fade, as seen here, but a stunning accent nail captures our hearts forever. Ombre designs don't have to go all-out and can instead be a subtle gradient. This one just happens to be glitter based.

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Pink Fade

Yet another example of the modern ombré, these pink ombre nails are a favorite on the 'gram. Nail artist Jessica Washick continues to create mini masterpieces for brands like Nike. While this mani doesn't have a matte finish like her popular jelly nails, we're still full-time swooning over these.

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Sunset Ombré

Considering how many options there are nowadays, we gotta say, we're still a sucker for a stunning sunset-inspired ombre pallet. It just works every time. It's almost a great as a spontaneous vacation, you know?